We are
informed by Acropolis Books publishers (http://www.acropolisbooks.com) that the author of this
extraordinary item is Portia Nelson, and that it appears in numerous self-help
books, and is widely quoted among support groups and the various 12-step
programs. We do not know the title of the book in which it first appeared.

CHAPTER 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost…I am helpless.
It isn’t all my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

CHAPTER 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But it isn’t all my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

CHAPTER 3
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it there.
I fall in…it’s a habit, but my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It’s my fault.
I get out immediately.

CHAPTER 4
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.